Comments:Outstanding sound quality for the acoustic set – no hiss sbd. Electric band audience recording is also an easy listen. Jerry dedicates the performance of “Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie” to the memory of Elizabeth Cotton. Tape runs out during “Harder They Come”. This is the one and only time the JGB publicly played “All Along The Watchtower”.

Comments: Jerry’s 50th birthday. Intermittent balloons popping and mic contact with concert participants. This is one tough venue in terms of crowd noise – check out all other recordings from this venue), but all in all a pretty inspired performance and sentimentally over-the-hill second set topped off with a lovey dovey wonderful world. With Jerry around, indeed it was a Wonderful World. Happy Birthday Jerry!!!

Source: The primary source used for this set of SHN’s is FOB(Nak700)>SonyD3>DAT>CDR>WAV>SHNv3.Cats Under the Stars and the beginning of Mission In The Rain (which are missing from the FOB source) are from a second source with at least one analog generation of spotty indeterminate lineage. Taper is unknown for both sources.

Thanks to K.Benbenisty for the FOB source. Splicing was done using SF6.

The recording of Jerry Garcia’s performance at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ on April 10, 1982 opens with the promoter saying “I think you’ll find this a rare musical experience.” But not even he, or even Jerry, could have known just how true that statement would become, for this was the one and only time that Mr. Garcia performed an entire show solo acoustic.

My MO: I listened to as many versions of each song as I could find. That meant roughly 140 versions of Simple Twist and anywhere from 20-75 versions of most of the others. I eliminated those that didn’t pass a minimum threshhold of listenability and then gave full listens to all the other versions. My selections were based on whatever whims I had at the time. Basically, though, vocals were usually a minor consideration. Sound quality was a priority but not that it was what informed my final choices. The only thing I knew beforehand was that the 8/8/90 Tangled Up In Blue would be included. It is my favorite Jerry performance in any incarnation and the last five minutes are the greatest guitar solo I’ve ever heard from anybody, anywhere, anytime. It’s also what got the idea in my head to do this.

The only omission was All Along The Watchtower, which was played once (10/25/87) and does not circulate. I chose the better part of valor and decided against using the version released as part of the Pure Jerry series. Fully recognizing that I couldn’t be all things to all people, I hope this works as most things or most people.

As I was dealing with 19 different tracks from 18 different sources (mostly aud’s), matching levels and segueing were somewhat problematic. I have tried to minimize this as best I could, or at least as gently as possible.

Thanks to:Tol, who singularly made this possible.Zuma_Aiko Bill and SIRMick, who offered solicited help with the set lists.Rory Kallfelz, who came through big-time when I sent out a short-notice SOS for help tweaking the art.JG and his partners in crime through the years.

My MO: Essentially the same as Jerry Does Dylan. I listened to as many versions of each song as I could get my hands on. Unlike Jerry Does Dylan, quite a few of these songs weren’t performed many times, some only once. Basically, I selected whatever struck my fancy. Many different things contributed to my choices, none of them consistently. Sometimes it was the sound quality. Sometimes it was a solo. Sometimes it was the energy. Sometimes it was a guest artist. I didn’t necessarily shy away from a flaw or two if the performance was worth it. Much of the funkier stuff was performed only as instrumentals and usually, if not always, Merl was on the keyboards. There were a handful of songs that were performed across Jerry band incarnations. I started out selecting one version from each “band” until I came up with six versions of How Sweet It Is. I pared that down to four and put one on each disc. There are also more than one versions of I Second That Emotion, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Road Runner and maybe another. I also took a few liberties. Ain’t No Woman was not released on Motown but it was first recorded by the Four Tops so it’s included. Hi-Heel Sneakers was also not originally released by Motown but it was later covered by Stevie Wonder so I included it. On these discs, you’ll hear a few different lead singers. Merl does a tune. Backup singer Sarah Fulcher does a tune. Keith Godchaux does one. There’s Paul Butterfield and James Booker as well as the short-lived JGB that featured Nicky Hopkins.

THE HISTORYAin’t No Mountain High Enough: Performed once by Garcia & Saunders in 1974.

Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got): Performed four times by Garcia & Saunders, all in 1974.

Another Star: Performed 14 times by Reconstruction in 1979.

Boogie On Reggae Woman: Performed 21 times in 1974-75 by Garcia & Saunders and the Legion of Mary.

Come See About Me: Performed once by the Keith & Donna Band in 1975.

Creepin': Performed twice in 1975 by the Legion of Mary.

Hi-Heel Sneakers: Performed eight times from 1971-74 by Garcia & Saunders.

Honey Chile: Performed eight times in 1973 by Garcia & Saunders.

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You): Performed 427 times by every incarnation of Jerry’s bands with the exception of Reconstruction. From its entrance into the repertoire in 1972, it was played numerous times every year, up to, and including, the final JGB show on 4/23/1995.

I Second That Emotion: Performed 204 times, it, too, found it’s way into Jerry’s repertoire consistently through 1978, then disappeared until Melvin joined the band in 1981 where it remained until early 1984. It reappeared in September, 1989 and remained until the end.

I Was Made To Love Her: Performed eight times, all by Garcia & Saunders in 1972-73.

(I’m A) Road Runner: Performed 75 times, mostly from 1974-76, appeared once in 1978 and then from 1981-83.

Sunshine Of My Life: Performed once with Garcia & Saunders in 1973. Unfortunately, no versions of that show circulate and it’s not included here.

The Way You Do The Things You Do: Performed 148 times in three different phases, 1976-78, 1981-84, 1990-1995.

What’s Going On?: Performed once by Garcia & Saunders in 1974.

When The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game: Performed 10 times, first with Reconstruction in 1979 and returned briefly in both 1991 and 1993.

THANKSSIRMick, for his always helpful knowledge and guidance, not to mention his Photoshopping.Vierstein, for encouragement and getting me some hard-to-find tracks.Saint Alan, for serving ‘em up.Jerry.

* with Alice Stuart on Vocals** At around 7:23, some guy in the crowd yells, “Nice Ass Donna”; forever to be immortilized on tape as The “nice ass Donna” guy.

–With the season of Jerome (8/1 – 8/9) nearly upon us, I thought I might make a little mix and seed it. No biggie, these arent rare recordings or anything. I do prefer many of these versions, and think of them as being well played, and extremely energetic. Jerry at his finest!

–My first Garcia compilation seemed to be popular, so here is another one. This one, of course, is with the blessing of the poo…thanks for the support, my friend… :) If the interest is there, more will follow. Enjoy…Chris Davis…(7/20/05)

*So far as I can tell, this is the first Its no Use. The Jerry Site seems to confirm this…

Without me intending it, this volume became a Garcia and Saunders compilation. Plenty more on the shelf, so many songs yet to cover, but I was just in a jazzy mood. The horns sound great! Look for more in a day or two. Enjoy! Chris Davis (7/21/05)

*There is some slight crackling at various points during Limbo. It is not terribly noticeable, but the headphones do make it more obvious. I added this anyway, because Nicky Hopkins plays his heart out on this one…

–This is by far the most mellow mix so far. Enjoy..Chris Davis (7/22/05)

–Obviously this is a Garcia and Guests compilation. Some neat versions, and decent recordings as well. Ive done my best to accurately list the proper band titles, I hope I got it all right..Enjoy…Chris Davis…(7/26/05)

—–Garcia Compilation (Volume 8)—–

1. The Love Each Other* 9/10/89
2. Waiting for a Miracle* 9/16/89
3. Tangled Up In Blue** 11/12/93
4. Hope It Wont Be This Way Always* 9/10/89
5. Lay Down Sally** 11/12/93
6. Dont Let Go* > 9/11/89
7. Lonesome and a Long Way From Home*
8. I Shall Be Released* 12/2/89

*with Clarence Clemons**with David Murray

–Welcome to “Saxophone Jerry”. Some great versions, the sax goes so well… The source on some of these is not the best sounding, but the sax work warrants the attention, so here it is…Enjoy…Chris Davis (7/31/05)

–I went for quality on this one. These tracks are all silky. I had to make up for missed songs, and I was in the mood to do a 76’er…listened to this today, and it sounds very nice :) Enjoy…Chris Davis…(8/2/05)

Outside of the Grateful Dead, Garcia spent more time onstage with John Kahn than anyone else. So, I thought I might conclude the Garcia Compilations with a nice Garcia and Kahn mix. Enjoy…Chris Davis…(8/10/05)

The Garcia Discs – A Compilation

Selections are taken from The Grateful Dead, Reconstruction, Legion of Mary, JGB & Garcia/Grisman. A week straight of late nights went into this mix and a bit of red wine. Many tracks are continuous even though they are from different shows. Thanks to JBL for the inspiration. And above and beyond thanks to Garcia for showing us the way. This is for the people. Enjoy.